Star Trek icon George Takei marked his 89th birthday in a heartwarming celebration at the renowned Hollywood steakhouse Kali Restaurant this Monday. The beloved actor was joined by his husband of 17 years, Brad Altman Takei, in a special outing that highlighted their enduring partnership.
Recovery and Reflection
The Grammy-nominated recording artist, who was recently seen using a cane, arrived at the restaurant in a wheelchair pushed by his 72-year-old husband, a former financial journalist. Takei is currently recovering from foot surgery, a procedure that has temporarily limited his mobility but hasn't dampened his spirits.
'I think that is life teaching me not to engage in any more crazy 26.2-mile runs for a while,' the Beam Me Up, Sulu star told The Guardian in February, reflecting on his marathon-running days. 'I started in my 40s, my husband, Brad, trained me, and I've done six in total. The last was the London marathon in 1991.'
A Love Story Born from Running
The Takeis' relationship has its roots in athletic passion. They famously met in the early 1980s through the LA Frontrunners running club, where they bonded over their shared enthusiasm for marathons. This foundation of mutual interests has supported their marriage through decades of public life and personal challenges.
Takei expressed contentment with his current pace of life, stating: 'I enjoy my downtime, my afternoon naps and a leisurely dinner.' The NY Times-bestselling author emphasized that he's 'enjoying life wonderfully' and has learned that 'if you take care of yourself, Mother Nature will be good to you.'
Birthday Giving and LGBTQ+ Advocacy
With 16.5 million social media followers, Takei used his birthday platform to encourage charitable giving. He asked fans to make donations to PFLAG, an organization that has 'helped so many in the LGBTQ+ community, including me.' This request reflects his longstanding commitment to advocacy, which began when he came out as gay at age 68 in 2005.
The Star Trek: Khan actor made history with Brad when they became the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood. Their 2008 wedding at the Japanese American National Museum was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ rights.
Continuing Activism and Projects
Takei's advocacy extends beyond marriage equality. On April 10, the inseparable couple traveled to San Francisco where the Asian Law Caucus honored Takei as a 'fearless' Japanese-American trailblazer during their 54th anniversary gala. This recognition comes amid several ongoing projects:
- An appearance alongside former Star Trek castmate Walter Koenig at the Fan Fusion pop culture convention in Phoenix, Arizona on June 6-7
- Completion of his interactive StoryFile, an AI-driven storytelling project based on hours of recorded interviews for a new Japanese American National Museum exhibit
- Executive production of the film adaptation of Jamie Ford's 2009 novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Legacy Beyond Star Trek
While best known for his groundbreaking role as Captain Hikaru Sulu in Gene Roddenberry's iconic sci-fi series (1966-1969) and its six feature film spin-offs, Takei's impact extends far beyond entertainment. His family was among 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry unjustly interned by the US government during World War II from 1942-1946.
This personal history inspired significant creative work:
- Development and starring role in Stafford Arima's Broadway musical Allegiance (2015-2016) about internment camps
- The 2019 graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy
- The 2024 children's picture book My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story
As he celebrates his 89th birthday, George Takei continues to balance recovery with creative projects, advocacy work, and appreciation for life's simpler pleasures alongside his devoted husband Brad.
